"We were thinking of doing a fundraiser for a school. We went to Youth Assistance to see if they could help us adopt a family or help for the holidays," said Olivia Chio, manager at the South Lyon store on Pontiac Trail. "We wanted to help a family in need."

Doreen Brant, South Lyon Area Youth Assistance case manager, was able to identify a family — a single father with two children — that could use some help over the holiday.

"We have a huge Shop with a Hero this year, so when Biggby came to us with an idea, I knew a family that needed help," Brant said. "I picked a family I have worked with in the past. I know they need help."

The father is making a list of what the family needs or would like for Christmas and Brant will pass that along to Chio.

"We hope to raise $600; Doreen says that is more than enough for one family," Chio said. "Any money we raise above what we donate for the family will go the Shop with a Hero."

Biggby is holding a variety of events through Dec. 18 for fundraising. There has been a silent auction, donate a $1 get a $1 off a specialty beverage and $5 donation for a buy one, get one. There have also been guest baristas.

"We're asking for donations 4-8 p.m., but people can donate throughout the day. The guest baristas are to bring more people in," Chio said. "We still have dates for guest baristas, but we have filled up pretty well."

For potential guest baristas, Chio said lack of drink-making skills isn't a problem — the guest baristas are mainly to attract and greet customers.

"Our drinks are pretty involved. It would be a lot of training for one hour (as a guest barista)," Chio said. "They can put on the whipped cream and interact with customers and friends, ask if they know the answer to the trivia questions."

This year's Shop With a Hero has 35 youngsters approved to participate, with another 29 kids on the waiting list contingent on fundraising efforts. The youngsters get to do holiday shopping with Oakland County Sheriff's deputies. The youngsters are all students in the South Lyon Community Schools district.

"Last year, we had 51 kids and were able to do all of them. I say yes to the first 30 based on Youth Assistance funding and then others we can add depend on fundraising," Brant said.

Youth Assistance received more referrals from school staff than in past years, Brant noted, adding it was the highest number of requests for help since she has been with the organization.

The Shop with a Hero has local youngster paired with an Oakland County Sheriff's deputy to do holiday shopping. The goal is to provide $150 per youngster.

"Some kids shop for themselves, some kids shop for themselves, their parents and their siblings. It varies," Brant said, adding she hopes to accommodate 65 children this year.